3 Tough Birds to Photograph near Dunsford, Ontario: Early May, 2020

While exploring gravel roads east of Lindsay, there were three bird species which I encountered frequently but had no luck in photographing. These three draw attention to themselves with frequent and distinctive singing but are almost always out of sight or in sight for an instant only.

SWAMP SPARROW

Unlike Song Sparrows, they sing from unexposed perches close to the ground in wet areas. The best photo I ever got of one was during migration.

Swamp Sparrow

WILSON’S SNIPE

These interesting bird are often heard in the sky and occasionally flushed in wet areas.

Wilson’s Snipe (Wikipedia)

EASTERN MEADOWLARK

The familiar whistling call announces their presence but they are rarely visible. Starlings do a perfect imitation of their call.

Eastern Meadowlark (Cornell University)

Here are the birds I was able to photograph:

Common Grackles
Common Grackle
Common Grackle
Song Sparrow
Mourning Dove
Wild Turkey (female)
Red-winged Blackbird (female)
Red-winged Blackbird (male)
American Crow
Canada Goose
American Goldfinches (male)
Hairy Woodpecker (female)
American Robin
Mallards
Northern Flicker (female)

Some photos of the area:

Sturgeon Lake
former school house
Presbyterian Church

Some Botany:

Lichen
Willow (Salix)
Moss and Lichen on rock
Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo)
male Horsetail
Willow (Salix)
Cat-tails (Typha)
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)

Dunsford, Ontario

Dunsford is named after James Wicks Dunford, member of the legislative assembly of Canada 1862 – 1866.

United Church
Dunsford Nature Trail
Baseball diamond
Anglican Church
Lions Club project
Lions Club project close-up

NATURE POETRY

This is the weather the cuckoo likes,
And so do I;
When showers betumble the chestnut spikes,
And nestlings fly.                                                     – Thomas Hardy (1840–1928)

Miles Hearn

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